Fall is my absolute favorite season of the year! In Memphis, it’s really an extended summer because the weather is still pretty warm, but 10-20 degrees cooler feels like a new season; it’s definitely drier and far less humid than June, July, and August. It’s also the time for sorority business to resume, along with a new school year and yes, my birthday…I was born in the fall. The only thing I dislike about fall is the shortened daylight, but the changing and shedding of the leaves, college homecomings, Thanksgiving Day, long coats, warm boots, tailored clothing, comfort foods like soups, stews, and casseroles, the return of football and basketball, and new episodes of my favorite television series are all worth the wait as autumn marks the transition of seasons.

Fall also marks a new cycle of preventative health and screening services. September ushers in the second dental cleaning of the year, annual mammogram, age-related vaccinations, and well woman visits. I also make sure to donate blood twice during the fall; donors provide the only supply of life-saving blood for those in need. I reached my 25th donation milestone in August, so I am committed to serving my community during critical blood shortages.

Speaking of August, I was diagnosed with my second case of COVID. Lucky for me, it was a mild case (compared to my first one in September 2021). My symptoms were mostly headaches, body aches, mild fever, and a hearty cough. I used sick days and a long holiday weekend to rest and hydrate my body while treating my symptoms. I’m feeling well now…no residual symptoms. I welcome another weekend to rest and relax.

This summer, there were periods of 100+ degree temps for several days on end. While I don’t particularly worship the sun, I acknowledge the healing benefits of adequate Vitamin D from sun exposure. For exercise, I haven’t resumed a regular outdoor walking schedule, but I joined a Pilates club. So far, I’m enjoying the core repetitions, stretches, and strengthening activities. Interestingly, I think my COVID infection may have originated from my weekly Pilates exercise.

As fall approaches, I’m wearing my long locs pulled back in a ponytail or in a bun more often. My choice in style is related to the summer heat, but I’m also noticing as my locs lengthen, they get heavier. An updo just makes life easier, and I sleep now, almost exclusively, with them pulled up or back with a ponytail holder. With my hair off my face, I get to accentuate my Nigerian ancestry: that broad forehead is homage to my African bloodline.

This fall, among other things, I’m really looking forward to cooler weather, a milestone birthday (I’ll be 55 years young), and the continued evolution of my Sisterlocks. When I’m out and about, almost always someone acknowledges their length or beauty. Honestly, I can’t fathom my life without my locs and the daily ease their care has brought to my life. Locs are pretty commonplace now; I see loc’ed sistas and brothas just about every where I go. What sets mine apart from everyone else’s? I’ll just take my inspiration from India Arie…and keep doing what works for me:

“Good hair means curls and waves (no)
Bad hair means you look like a slave (no)
At the turn of the century
It’s time for us to redefine who we be
You can shave it off like a South African beauty
Or get in on lock like Bob Marley
You can rock it straight like Oprah Winfrey
If it’s not what’s on your head, it’s what’s underneath, and say

Hey (hey)
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no (hey)
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within.”

Until next time,

Andi D. 😘